For not refunding the transfer fee deposited by a customer, Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has been directed by the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to pay Rs 47,881 besides Rs 17,000 as compensation and litigation costs.

Complainant, Reema Thakur, a resident of Sector 52 had deposited Rs 47,881 to CHB in 2011 to get the dwelling unit transferred in her name but later when Thakur visited the opposite party to check the status of her request, she was informed that the scheme has been dropped and she could seek refund.

After a period of one-and-half years, the opposite party sent a demand draft worth Rs 47,881 as was requested but, in the draft, the name of complainant was mentioned as Reena Thakur instead of Reema Thakur. Accordingly, the draft was deposited with the opposite party for necessary correction with an assurance that it would be delivered within a week.

However, Thakur said that even after visiting the opposite party several times, the matter was put off on one pretext or the other and the draft was not returned. Hence, she filed a complaint with the consumer court.

On the day of the hearing, none of the representatives of the opposite party appeared in the court to contest the claim of the complainant, leaving the complaint unrebutted and uncontroverted. While, the complainant proved her case by presenting the documents and by filling duly sworn affidavits in support of her assertions as made in the complaint.

Thus, the consumer forum directed the opposite party to return the transfer fee worth Rs 47,881 at an interest rate of 9% besides Rs 17,000 for mental agony and litigation expenses.